Ruth M. Gallagher

GENEVA - Ruth Gallagher, 95, passed away peacefully at her home on May 14, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday (May 20th) at 10:00 a.m. at the McGuigan & Bero Funeral Home, 45 High St., Geneva. The Rev. Thomas P. Mull will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband William J. Gallagher Sr., her son William J. Gallagher Jr., and her daughter-in-law Wanda (Stell) Gallagher, Roger & Mary Baroody, Jennie & Dan Petrizzi, Sam & Theresa Baroody, Mary Gallagher, John Gallagher, Tom & Frances Gallagher, and Jay & Armeda Gallagher.

She is survived by her son Daniel A. (Charmaine) Gallagher, her grandson Daniel S. Gallagher, her granddaughter Shannon (Jacob) Spina, great-grandson Joseph T. Spina, several nieces, nephews, and her neighbor and special beauty Kelise Wright.

Ruth was born in Geneva, NY. She was the youngest child of Asa and Ziqua Baroody. She went to Geneva High School and graduated from Utica College in 1950. She met and married Bill Gallagher in 1955. She had two sons that always made her so proud.

Ruth loved her family, her friends, and a good party. She would have Sunday dinners where there was enough food for anyone to stop by, and they did.

She sold and fitted wedding dresses at Stanley's for many years and in her late 70s was a demo lady at BJs, where she spent more than she made.

Ruth had a wonderful sense of humor and a way about her that made everyone feel welcome. Family would come from Baltimore and California, and of course, that was a reason to celebrate. Ruth enjoyed shopping with her cousin Rosie, eating the Syrian food that her cousins Ruth and Jayne made, and partying with her husband, sons, and all their friends at Gallagher's Irish Pub. She would dance, have her BV, and throw in those unfiltered comments that she was famous for. Ruth and Bill found their greatest joy in their two grandchildren. She filled her house with pictures of them, refusing to cover the old ones. Ruth and Joey, her great-grandson, had fun riding in her power chair. We will miss her, but she wanted friends to remember her with a smile. She had a great long life, a wonderful family, and did things her way.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Nester Hose Fire Dept, 207 Genesee Street, Geneva, NY 14456, or the Ontario County LTS PBA - Bill Gallagher Memorial Scholarship Fund, 74 Ontario Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424.

For tributes and condolences, please visit www.mcguiganberofuneralhome.com.